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TEXT OF H.RES. 165 ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES2003-04-11 18:39:14

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES108th CONGRESS1st SessionH. RES. 165

Expressing support for a renewed effort to find a peaceful, just, and lasting settlement to the Cyprus problem.

Whereas the United States believed there existed a historic opportunity to bring a peaceful, just, and lasting settlement to the Cyprus problem, which would have benefited Greek and Turkish Cypriots and the wider region;

Whereas a resolution of the Cyprus problem remains consistent with American values of promoting stability, freedom, and democracy in the world;

Whereas a resolution of the Cyprus problem is in the strategic interests of the United States, given the important location of Cyprus at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia;

Whereas the United States strongly supports the efforts of the United Nations Secretary General, and his Special Advisor through his good offices mission, to achieve a comprehensive settlement with respect to Cyprus in full consideration with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and international treaties;

Whereas a just and lasting resolution of the Cyprus problem, in full consideration of United Nations Security Council resolutions and international treaties, will safeguard the security and fundamental rights of Greek and Turkish Cypriots;

Whereas the United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, on November 11, 2002, submitted a proposal for the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, referred to as the `Basis for an Agreement on a Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus problem', which he revised on December 10, 2002 and again on February 26. 2003;

Whereas negotiations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, which had been ongoing, were encouraged to intensify their efforts in order that full agreement could be reached by February 28, 2003, in conformity with the timetable proposed by the United Nations Secretary General in his proposals;

Whereas United Nations Secretary General Koffi Annan again on February 26, 2003, gave Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders, and the guarantor powers, the United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey, a second revision of his plan in order to accommodate input from both sides;

Whereas the revised plan was the result of exhaustive efforts by the United Nations and would have lead to a peaceful, just and lasting settlement of the longstanding division of Cyprus;

Whereas the Secretary General on February 28, 2003, at the conclusion of a visit to Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus, invited the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders to meet with him at The Hague on March 10, 2003, the purpose of the meeting being to sign a commitment to submit the plan to approval in separate, simultaneous referenda on March 30, 2003, in order to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, and the guarantor powers were also invited to attend the meeting and to sign the commitment;

Whereas both Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders did attend the meeting at The Hague with the Secretary General but the Secretary General's plan failed when Turkish Cypriot Leader, Denktash, rejected both the comprehensive settlement and the referendum proposal;

Whereas the United States Government expressed its deep disappointment that the Secretary General's efforts to bring his plan for a comprehensive settlement to referenda by the Greek and Turkish Cypriots was rejected; and

Whereas despite this unfortunate setback, the United States remains committed to seeking a just and durable settlement to the Cyprus problem: Now, therefore, be it:

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) expresses its appreciation for the efforts of the United Nations Secretary General to seek a peaceful, just, and lasting settlement of the Cyprus problem for the benefit of Greek and Turkish Cypriots and the region;

(2) expresses its strong disappointment that the Secretary General's efforts to bring his plan for a comprehensive settlement to a referenda by Greek and Turkish Cypriots has been rejected;

(3) expresses its very strong regret that Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Denktash, rejected the comprehensive settlement offered by the Secretary General and denied the Turkish Cypriot community the opportunity to determine their own future by refusing to offer the settlement proposal to referenda;

(4) remains committed, despite the recent setback, to giving any assistance necessary for finding a just and durable settlement for the Cyprus problem and urges the maximum effort by the United States Government and others to redouble their efforts to seek a just and lasting settlement to the Cyprus problem;

(5) encourages both Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders to renew their efforts to find a settlement to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the Secretary General's framework for a comprehensive settlement;

(6) urges the Governments of Turkey and Greece to do everything possible to support the search for a settlement, including actions by the Government of Turkey helping to persuade the Turkish Cypriot leader to reach an agreement which would reunite the island and which would serve the interests of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots; and

(7) encourages both sides, upon completion of a comprehensive settlement, to consider putting such an agreement to referenda, if necessary, in order that the will of Greek and Turkish Cypriots can be democratically expressed.